Hip Hop Is Dead

Hope

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

29

End

179

Internal

17

Multi

50

Slant

12

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Bridge: Nas & Chrisette Michele]
(Live Hip Hop, Live) Ain't got nothing✦ to do with Old School
(Live Hip Hop, Live) New School, Dirty✦ South
(Give Hip Hop, Give) West Coast, East Coast, this about✦ us
(Give Hip Hop, Give) This our thing, you know what I'm saying
(Stay Hip Hop, Stay) This came from the gut, from the blood
(Stay Hip Hop, Stay) From the soul, right here, man
(I Pray Hip Hop, Pray) This is our thing, man
(I Pray Hip Hop, Stays) You know? so I say what I say
(Live Hip Hop, Live) And I say what I say, and I mean it
(Live Hip Hop, Live) Y'all take it how you want to take it
(Give Hip Hop, Give) Because if you asking:✦ "Why is Hip Hop dead?"
(Give Hip Hop, Give) It's a pretty✦ good chance, you the reason✦ it died, man
(Stay Hip Hop, Stay) It's a pretty✦ good chance your lame ass, corny✦ ass
(Stay Hip Hop, Stay) Is the reason✦ it died, man
(I Pray Hip Hop, Pray) You don't give a fuck about✦ it, you don't know nothing✦ about✦ it
(I Pray Hip Hop, Stays) You want this paper,✦ be a hustler✦
(Live Hip Hop, Live) You a hustler,✦ you ain't a rapper,✦ get your paper✦ man
(Live Hip Hop, Live) You know what I'm saying, but this rap shit is real
(Give Hip Hop, Give) Bitch, this shit is real: bitch
(Give Hip Hop, Give) *laughs*
[Outro: Chrisette Michele]
(Stay Hip Hop, Stay)
(Live)
(Stay Hip Hop, Stay)
(Live)
(I Pray Hip Hop, Pray)
(Give)
(I Pray Hip Hop stays)
(Live Hip Hop, Live)
(Stay)
(Live Hip Hop, Live)
(Give Hip Hop, Give)
(Give Hip Hop, Give)
(Stay Hip Hop, Stay)
(Stay Hip Hop, Stay)
(I Pray Hip Hop, Pray)
(I Pray Hip Hop, Stays)

Technical Breakdown

7.6
Multisyllabic Rhymes6.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres4.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity4.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.61

Production

— L.E.S., Nas, Alexander "Spanador" Mosely

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse functions primarily as a rhetorical manifesto rather than a lyrical exercise, relying on raw, conversational delivery to establish authority and moral weight rather than complex linguistic wordplay.

B+
6.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
4
Vocabulary
4
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Rhetorical addressConversational cadenceRepetitive mantra-based structureDirect confrontation
Rhyme Architecture: The rhyme scheme is driven by a repetitive call-and-response vocal refrain (Live/Give/Stay/Pray Hip Hop), which grounds the verse in a rhythmic loop, allowing the spoken-word sections to act as improvised commentary against the beat.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"You a hustler, you ain't a rapper"

① A person whose primary focus is the accumulation of wealth and transaction② An artist who has sacrificed the integrity of the craft for financial gain

Commanding vocal presence that shifts from authoritative to dismissive

Strong use of the 'bridge' as an opportunity for unfiltered, authentic expression

Effective use of the 'you' address to implicate the listener/industry

Low lexical density consistent with a conversational, stream-of-consciousness delivery

Absence of complex multi-layered wordplay or hidden entendre

Repetitive structure may feel rudimentary to listeners seeking technical lyrical complexity

User Scores